Tire vulcanizer



C. E. NORRIS TIRE VULCANIZER Feb. 25, w36.

Filed April 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l w y. M ,RW .m MSH, fg KM MM 222 25, 2222,. C. Noms v2,232,222

TIRE VULCANIZER Filed April 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

'Ihe invention relates to improvements in vulcanizers as described in the present specication and shown in the accompanying drawings which form part of the same.

The invention in general appertains to the art of curing local or sectional repairs to pneumatic tire carcasses and in particular to a steam heated vulcanizer equipped with interchangeable parts whereby carcasses of different sized tires may be cured.

In this class of vulcanizer, adapter plates are employed .to suit the particular carcass to be cured. These are placed upon the table between relatively adjustable walls along with the carcass and bead plates, all of which are duly clamped in position. The table and walls are chambered in order that they may be heated by steam. The adapter plates conduct the heat to the contacting surface of the carcass to cure the repair.

Due to the modern trend of automobile manufacturers to employ tires of enlarged cross-sectional areas with relatively lower air pressures, vulcanizers are called upon to meet new conditions that severely tax existing machines, if not render them inadequate.

By reason of the bulk and weight of the larger carcasses, stress and strains on the vulcanizing machine are greatly increased. More heat is required inorder to cope with the increased size of the adapter plates and other involved parts. Additionally, while these new conditions have to be taken care of, the machine should be more convenient if it is capable of also handling the smaller tires still in use.

The conventional vulcanizer is of a cast iron construction and a machine of this material, to handle tires of increased cross-sectional area, necessitates more substantial walls and greater heating capacity. Since these machines are heated daily, the time taken to get up steam is an important factor, as also is the cost of heating. Naturally, to build a machine of a cast iron construction of a more rigid type with thicker walls would not only take longer to heat but also would increase cost of operation.

The present invention comprehends a vulcanizer construction of welded sheet metal specially designed to incorporate strength and rigidity and yet retain the advantage of metal walls of a less thickness than would be required of a cast iron construction.

YAccording to this construction heat is rapidly conducted to the surface to be vulcanized, which is highly advantageous for carcasses of large cross sections. Furthermore, thestructure provides for the quick generation of steam and economical operation irrespective of whether the heating medium is gas or electricity.

The vulcanizer is of the unitary type incorporating a boiler below the table upon which the tire carcass is clamped for curing. A special feature of construction resides in the arrangement of the heated side walls to resist strains and distortion both in the manufacture and use of this vulcanizer.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an end elevation of the vulcanizer.

Figure 2 is a Vertical sectional view through the machine depicting a tire carcass clamped for vulcanization.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross section of the boiler taken on line 3-3 of Fig-ure 1.

Figure 4 is a similar section taken on line 4-4 of the same ligure.

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the adjustable wall.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the vulcanizer viewed from the adjustable wall side.

Figure 7 is a cross section taken on line 1-1 of Figure 2 showing the hollow table construction.

Figure 8 depicts the manner of constructing the hollow steam-heated walls.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the side plates of the boiler.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the gures throughout the drawings of the invention.

The accompanying drawings are illustrative of a practical application of the invention of which the reference numeral I0 denotes in general the table of the vulcanizer body. The table comprises atop `plate II presenting an arcuate surface II .upon which the adapterA plates I2 are supported along with the adjustable wall I4. The adapter plates, Acommonly referred to as shel1s", are arcuate complementary members conforming to a substantial section of tread and side walls of the tire and having normal faces contiguous with the table and inner faces I3 of the heated side walls I4 and I5 for the conduction of heat. The adapter plates are made in sets to conform to the tire sizes and are interchangeable as is well known in the art.

As is customary in the art, to provide for changing the adapter plates, the wall I4 is shiftable to and away from its mate and for this purpose it is usual to employ a manual mechanism independently supported with respect to the adjustable-wall. The manual mechanism referred to is not a `part-of the present invention and hence is Ynot shown in detail, it being understood that it may take the form of ra supporting member I6 carrying a screw feed or otherwise with means as at I'IV for taking the strain at the top of thewall. The, usual bead plates are illustrated at I8, which are clamped down by the Y v Y er for steamv generation either by an electric irnis welded vto` a side plate before the boiler is aselement I9 loosely carried on the cross-bar 20 as is conventional.

The table is constructed with crescent shaped' steam chambers 2| and 22 on each side of an intermediary steam compartment 23 at the top of the boiler 24. This is achieved by welding a pair of spaced depending side plates 25 to the underg face of the top plate II together with end plates 23 to compose an irregular rectangle in horizontal cross section as clearly discernible in Figures 3 and 4. A bottom plate 2'I completes the box-like structure. The joints are of course'welded as indicated. v Y l g This construction provides a deep vertical boilmersion heater as depicted at 28, Figure 6, or by an external gas lire.V l j It has been ascertained in practice thatv it is imperative to tie the side plates 25 to each other in rtheir mid areas in order-to obviate stress and sembled,see particularly Figure 9. Accordingly,

thefrtwo stay `plates of each stay`member abut when theside plates are assembled and the abutting edges are accessiblefforl'welding to unite-- them. Y A f To form the steam chambers 2 I and-22, curvedV plates Vas at 3| are Welded tothe top plate I IV and to the Yside plates 25. Additionally a frontY plate 32 is welded to the saidtop plate and to the plate 3| ofthe chamber 2|;V This curved plate is extended below the plate 3| toi act as a'strengthening rib. Similarly the backplate 32'. is `welded CII f Cil to the top plate II and to the respective plate if 3| and is-extended belowthe latterV to form a. strengthening ribfportion 33. The boiler is further strengthened byopposing ribs- 34 and 35. Apertures 33 arercut in the side plates 25 in order to permit steam to` passintoJthe chambers 2| 'and22. .Y Y Y Y The stationary wall I5Vis composedV of the inner plate 3l welded tothe top plate I'I Vandrtherback yplate 32 aforesaid, which has 'its sides and upper edge portionsbent inwardly and lwelded to the inner plates 31 to form an interior steam cham- :l

Y :ber 38`in communication with the chamberr22 of the'tablel- I:

In order to resist strain and YdistortionV therback plate is indented in several spots Yas at 39 to draw the metal 'flush with the .inner plate.V The in- 1 dents are centrallyY apertured ias at 4U, Figure 8,- and welded through the apertures to the inner plate. This is an importantfeatu'reas itV im- 'parts'rigidity tothe wall to enable it to withstandY the strain to whichrit is subjected. Lugs 4I may be welded to thev'topwof the "wall to attach the bar 20.v

frneadjustabiewu I4 isjsimilarly constructed and has an incurvate bottom plate 42 resting con- K 1 6. A sheet metalfvulcanizer comprising a top 75 tiguouslyupon the table and welded to the inner the stay`members are each plate 43 andtol theouter plate 44 similarly con- Y structed with indents 45 as recounted' in thedescription of the back plate 32. The chamber 46V Vhas flexible conduits as at 41 leading rto the steam chamber 2| of the table for heating purposes.Y

- Whereas the invention has been described and shown in a practical embodiment, it is understood thatV changes and modications may be resorted to as coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Y'

' What I claim isz--l 1. A sheet metal vulcanizer comprising a heated'- table, upstanding walls cooperating therewith, saidwalls each comprising an inner plate, an outer or back plate having its top and side marginal portions inturned and welded to the inner plate to compose an intervening heat chamber,

-' elements uniting the inner plate to the outer or Yback plate and distributed within the connes fof the marginal portions of the outer or back plate to stay the chamber, and closing means for -the Vbottom of saidV chamber providing a communication with the aforesaid heated table.

2. A sheet metal vulcanizer comprising a heated table', Vups'tandingwalls `cooperating therewith, said wallseach `comprising an .inner plate, an outer or` back plateV having its top and, side ber, said'outer or back plate having local struck up portions welded to Vsaid inner plate and disposed'within the saidY marginal portions, and

#closing means for. the bottom of the heat chamber providinga communication with the aforesaid heated table. Y 3. A sheet metal vulcanizercomprising a heated table, upstanding Walls cooperating therewith.. Y said walls each comprising an inner plate; anY

outer or back plate having its top and side marginal portions inturned and welded to theinner plate to compose an Vinte-rvening'heat chamber;n said outer or back plate havingspacedindents ush'with the inner plateV andcentrallyper- .forated'andwelded to the inner plate, and closing means for the bottom of the chamber providsisting. fA an inner plate, an outerplate having its top and side marginalportions inturned and welded'to the inner plate,said outervplate also having indents struck up flush with the inner? plate and welded thereto, andanA arcuate botmarginal portions inturned and welded'to n* the Y l irlner plate to compose an intervening heat chamlinga communication with the aforesaid heatedzq:5

formed Withiia heatY chambercommunicatingl50V :with the heated'table, an adjustable wallY contcrnplate resting on the curved supporting sur- 'face' of the heated table and welded to the aforesaid inner and outer plates to complete a heat chambery` 'Y 1. *j Y 5. A` sheet metal vulcanizer comprising acharnbered tableshaving an open back, said open back being formed-by' atop plate and an under plate Y spaced therefrom between its ends, ra shiftablev Jchainbered wall resting on the top plate, a sta-YV tionary wallco'mposed of an inner plate welded to theback edge 4ofsaid top plate, and a vback 'plate having its topand side marginal portionsV inturned 'and welded.' to theV inner-,plate tofcomcation with the chamber of the table.`

plate, aP depending boiler welded to the underside thereof and having outlet apertures in its steam space,A an under plate spaced beneath the top plate and welded thereto and to the boiler to compose a heat chamber with which the apertures communicate, a plate depending from the top plate and welded thereto and to the under plate to complete the heat chamber, chainbered walls upstanding from the aforesaid top plate, and means for conducting the heating medium from the boiler to the Walls.

'7. A sheet metal vulcanizer comprising a top plate, a depending boiler Welded to the underside thereof and having outlet apertures in its steam space, an under plate spaced beneath the top plate and Welded thereto and projecting beyond the rear thereof, to the boiler to compose a heat chamber with which the apertures cornmunicate, and a pair of chambered walls, one of which consists of an inner plate welded to the said top plate, and a back plate having its top and side marginal portions inturned and welded to the inner plate .to compose an intervening heat chamber, said back plate being continued below the top plate and Welded to the rearwardly projecting portion of the aforesaid under plate of the heat chamber.

8. A sheet metal vulcanizer comprising an upwardly curved top plate, a depending boiler of a substantially less width than said top plate and Welded to the immediate underside thereof, said boiler having lateral outlet apertures in its steam space, an arcuate plate upon each side of the boiler and Welded thereto and to the top plate, a depending plate welded to the underside of said top plate and to one of the arcuate plates to compose a chamber in communication with certain of the boiler apertures, and a back plate welded to the other arcuate plate to compose a chamber in communication With the remainder of the apertures, an inner plate welded to the back plate said back plate rising above the top plate, and to the top plate and forming a chamber in communication with the last mentioned chamber.

9. A sheet metal vulcanizer comprising an upwardly curved top plate, a pair of depending side plates Welded to the underside thereof and apertured at their upper portions, said side plates extending in the direction of the curve of the top plate, a bottom plate and end plates welded to the side plates thereby composing a boiler, upwardly curved sub-tending plates Welded to the said top plate and said side plates, vertical plates welded to the underside of said top plate and to said sub-tending plates to form chambers in communication with said apertures, plates internally welded to the said side plates to stay them, and ribs externally welded to the side plates and to the sub-tending plates of said chambers.

10. A sheet metal vulcanizer comprising an upwardly curved top plate, apair of spaced depending side plates welded to the underside of the top plate, said plates extending in the direction of the curve of the top plate medially of its width and being apertured in the vicinity of said top plate, plates welded to the ends and the bottoms of said side plates to complete a box-like structure constituting a steam boiler, a heating unit disposed in the boiler, an upwardly curved plate disposed at each side of the boiler and welded to the side plates thereof, said curved plates having their ends welded to the top plate, a vertical plate welded to one of the curved plates and to the top plate to compose a steam chamber therewith communicating through the apertures of the adjacent side plate with the boiler, a back plate welded to the other curved plate and upwardly extending in spaced relation to the top plate so as to provide -an intervening steam passage, said back plate having its side and top edges inturned, an inner plate welded to said inturned edges of the back plate and to the adjacent edge of the top plate to compose therewith a steam chamber, and a chambered wall rising from the top plate and adapted to be heated by said boiler.

CHARLES E. NORRIS. 

